Foaming shaving creams are useful outside of the bathroom. They also do a great job at breaking down stubborn food and grease stains, like coffee or mustard stains from clothing or carpets. Just dab a little on the stain, let it settle in, and then blot the shaving cream – and the stain – away.

Over at Country Living, there's a great gallery of 50 laundry tips that can help you make sure your clothes come out of the wash clean and dry quickly. There are even some suggestions for those who line dry and press their clothes. Even so, the shaving cream trick really stood out. In short, the soapy, foamy nature of classic shaving creams can help lift up stubborn stains from even coarse fibers like carpeting.

Just dab on some shaving cream to the stained area, blot it down so it sinks in, and walk away for a half hour. When you come back, the stain should be easy enough to get up, either just by wiping it away or with a little scrubbing.

If it persists, they suggest leaving it overnight and coming back in the morning. If you have luck with this, it might be a great way to get coffee stains out of your favorite shirt or the space on the carpet next to your desk. What are some of your trusty stain-removal tips? Let us know in the comments. Photo by Kate Ter Haar.